Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The positive reaction to presidential candidate John McCain picking pro-life Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been overwhelming. Pro-life groups and leaders of all stripes are delighted by the selection and below is a sampling of the comments LifeNews.com has received:

Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission: "Governor Palin is a vice-presidential selection which shows that John McCain at the age of 72 today is still able to think outside the box. Governor Palin will delight the Republican base. She is pro-life. It appears that Senator Obama played it safe in picking Senator Biden and Senator McCain made the bold and unconventional choice in picking Governor Palin."

Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council: "Senator McCain made an outstanding pick from the choices that were on the table. Sarah Palin clearly addresses the issues so many conservatives are concerned about. It balances out the ticket. She's also really a checkmate for the Democratic Party because folks who were looking to make history for Barack Obama can make history by voting for John McCain in seeing the first woman elected to the vice-presidency. It was a very strategic move by John McCain."

Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest: "With this bold and inspired selection, Sen. McCain has verified his stated commitment to assembling a truly pro-life administration. The Republican ticket stands in stark contrast to the stridently pro-abortion ticket put forth by the Democratic party. You can be sure the vice presidential selections will have far-reaching ramifications in this race."

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America: "Governor Palin will change the dynamics of the entire presidential race. Her admirable record of confronting corruption and living her pro-life convictions shows she is a doer, not just a talker. Sarah Palin will make history as a vice presidential candidate - and not simply because she's a woman, but because she's a woman of substance and character."

Dr. Willke, President of Life Issues Institute, “Governor Sarah Palin, not only decided to give birth to her fifth child recently knowing that ‘Trig’ had Down syndrome; she used the event to emphatically speak out for life. As a woman, independent Republican, strong pro-lifer and a fresh face, she will certainly help the McCain ticket.”

Mat Staver, pro-life attorney and founder of Liberty Council - "Absolutely brilliant choice. John McCain could not have chosen a better vice-presidential nominee that Gov. Palin. She is attractive, articulate, conservative, pro-family, pro-life, and pro-marriage. John McCain hit this one out of the ballpark. She is very pro-life. She has a Down Syndrome child. She's committed to pro-life. She understands the commitment to the sanctity of human life."

Jill Stanek, the nurse who exposed live birth abortions: "Governor Sarah Palin is a welcome addition to the McCain Republican ticket. I could not be more pleased that he has chosen a pro-life woman as his running mate. McCain/Palin offers a complete contrast to the Obama/Biden ticket and provides a solid background on all family issues. With Governor Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket, it looks like Obama’s abortion problem just got a whole lot bigger."

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, a pro-lifer from South Carolina: "Sarah Palin is an exciting choice by Senator McCain. She completes a strong ticket that will bring a real record of change and reform to Washington. She is a strong defender of traditional family values, with an unquestioned commitment to protect life."

Christian Coalition of America president Roberta Combs: "Governor Sarah Palin is a bold choice for Vice President who is a courageous advocate for unborn children. I congratulate Senator McCain for his outstanding selection for his vice presidential running mate."

Congressman Joe Pitts: "I commend Senator McCain for his bold choice in selecting Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate. Governor Palin is a principled leader who has fought corruption and stood up for the dignity of the unborn."

Steven W. Mosher, president of the pro-life Population Research Institute: "Our Alaska friends tell us that she is a serious pro- lifer and that she has been a blessing for Alaska. Any woman who has five children, while serving in elective office for over a decade obviously has a serious commitment to Life. This is further underlined by her decision to give birth to a Down's Syndrome child despite being advised to abort."

Executive Director of Life Issues Institute, Bradley Mattes, said this about the selection, “Senator McCain made the best choice possible for a vice presidential running mate. Governor Palin is a rock-solid pro-life advocate for the unborn.”

"We are elated that Sen. McCain has chosen Governor Sarah Palin," said Susan Armacost, Legislative/PAC Director for Wisconsin Right to Life. "She is a dynamic and extremely popular governor. But it is in her private life that Governor Palin has shown extraordinary strength of character."

Julie Schmit-Albin, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life: "Senator McCain knocked it out of the ballpark with his selection of Governor Sarah Palin. She will have broad appeal to the independent, individual spirit of Americans. This is a woman who is known for her personal integrity and she and her husband's welcoming of their fifth child who has Downs Syndrome speaks volumes about her character."

 

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